Health Corner
Welcome to the Township of Sparta’s Health Corner, a place for sharing public health issues and services available to our residents. Our Sparta community is an active and healthy one, and there is always new information available to inform and educate. Please share this resource with your friends and family. Stay healthy!
The Township website is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services. This website provides general information for educational purposes only utilizing official government sources.
New Mental Health Resources for College Students
Virtual mental health and wellness support, including teletherapy, will be available at no cost to students at 44 of New Jersey's colleges and universities this fall.
More Information can be found here.
Vaccine Preventable Disease Program
The Vaccine Preventable Disease Program works to reduce and eliminate the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases affecting children, adolescents, and older adults by raising the immunization coverage rates of New Jersey citizens.
More Information can be found here.
Immunization Requirements
The potential for the spread of infectious diseases is increased whenever individuals are ought into group settings. To prevent some of the most serious infections, the New Jersey school immunization rules, Immunization of Pupils in Schools (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4) require students to receive a series of immunizations prior to attendance at school. In addition, schools are required to enforce requirements, maintain records, and submit annual reports to the state and their respective local health department. The following materials provide guidance and tools for carrying out these requirements.
More Information can be found here.
School Health Information
NJDOH public health guidance can be found here
Don’t Let a Tick Make Your Child Sick!
Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters | CDC
Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.
Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum). If you’re 45 to 75 years old, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you’re younger than 45 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, or if you’re older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening.
Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important..
Learn More Here
Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services
Clinics, Outreach Events, Public Education and Upcoming Events, DOH Activities
Full August 2023 report Available Here
Women’s Health Screening
Next Clinic Date: October 12, 2023
A Women’s Cancer screening clinic was held on September 21, 2023 from 4:00pm - 7:00 pm, five (5) women scheduled and five (5) were screened. . This service is available free to underinsured and uninsured county residents who qualify for the NJCEED grant. A cervical thin-prep Pap smear, clinical breast exam, and pelvic exam are included in the physical exam at the time of clinic. Breast, cervical, colorectal, smoking cessation health education will be available at the time of screening. Mammograms are scheduled for a later date. Pre-registration is required and participants must have an appointment. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Please contact the Office of Public Health Nursing at 973-579-0570, ext. 1246, or visit www.sussex.nj.us/nursing to obtain more information or schedule an appointment
Men’s Health Screening
Next Clinic Date: TBD
The clinic was held on May 17, 2023, one (1) patient was seen. Under the direction of the NJCEED Program, a clinic is held twice a year. Prostate and colorectal testing is done along with a free PSA blood draw. Health education will include prostate health, smoking cessation and colorectal cancer information. Participants are encouraged to bring back their colorectal test kit sent to them prior to their appointment. This clinic is free to all NJCEED participants and those men who are uninsured or underinsured. Appointments are required. Please call 973-579-0570 ext. 1246 to schedule an appointment
Child Health Conference
Next Clinic Date: September 26, 2023
Complete physical exams, screenings, and age-appropriate immunizations for children ages 0-5 years old that are without health insurance. A clinic was held on June 27 and (3) three children were seen. Clinics are located at the Public Health Nursing Office, 201 Wheatsworth Road, Hamburg, NJ. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 973-579-0570. Clinic dates are posted on the website.
Health Check Clinic
Next Clinic Date: September 26, 2023
This clinic offers vaccines for adults and school-aged children. There is no fee for vaccines if uninsured or underinsured. A clinic was held on June 27 and (1) one patient were seen. Clinics are located at the Public Health Nursing Office, 201 Wheatsworth Road, Hamburg. Appointments are required. Please call 973-579-0570 ext. 1275 to schedule an appointment. Clinic dates for 2023 are posted on the website.
Complete Metabolic Profile (CMP) May 6 2023
A blood screening was offered including lipid profile tests, glucose, liver function tests, kidney function tests, complete blood counts and more. Eight (8) patients were seen Fee for the clinic is $50. Appointments are required. Please call 973-579-0570 ext. 1275.
Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Office of Public Health Nursing and Environmental Office Clinics, Outreach Events, Public Education and Upcoming Events, DOH Activities August, 2023
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
Clinics will continue to be updated on the SC website as they are scheduled. Public Health Nursing also continues to do weekly homebound vaccinations.
Upcoming Events:
- September 29, 2023 – YMCA program – 8:00 am
- October 5, 2023 – Harvest your Health – Project Self Sufficient – 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
COVID-19 Testing kits:
The Sussex County Division of Health continues to offer information on the SC website on how to obtain at home testing kits. All residential households are now eligible for an additional order of free at-home COVID-19 test kits through the United States Postal Service (USPS). Please note the following:
- Each order now includes eight (8) rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
- Your order of eight (8) tests will come in two (2) separate packages, with four (4) tests per package; each package will have its own tracking number.
- Packages will ship free through USPS.
County School Immunization Audits
Public Health Nursing staff audits the student immunization records for compliance with NJ State regulations in all Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School and Childcare Centers in Sussex County. This is done on an annual basis as required by the NJDOH.
Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and the Community Health Improvement plan (CHIP) are completed and have been sent to the state of New Jersey. They are located on the Healthy NJ 2030 site: https://www.nj.gov/health/healthynj/2030/community-plans/
They are also located on the North Jersey Health Collaborative (NJHC) website: https://www.njhealthmatters.org/tiles/index/display?alias=sussexabout
Data from participating SC partners is currently being collected and analyzed to track the progress of our interventions.
Lead Program
The Office of Public Health Nursing continues investigating childhood elevated blood lead levels. The nurse case manager conducts home visits and coordinates care for those children with elevated levels. The nurse case manager offers outreach and education with various partnerships within the county. Education and outreach for pediatricians and clinics continues with the goal of increased screening of those populations most at risk. There are currently four (4) cases open and under investigation.
Tuberculosis Control Services Public Health Nurses provide surveillance and case management to prevent the spread of tuberculosis. Daily direct observation of medication therapy and client/family education are components of this program. There is currently one (1) active case.
September 2023
Special Child Health Services:
Case Managers continue to assist families with the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF). Case Managers work with Family Resource Specialists from the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) to assist families with educational needs and resources. Special Child Health Services works with Autism NJ to provide resources to families.
Meetings:
- Unit Coordinator Meeting
- Outreach:
- Sparta Food Pantry tour and discussion with facilitator.
- Sussex County Fair Display Board and giveaways.
- Participation at Children’s Day at the Fair.
- Outreach with SCHS information and activity at PSS Back to School Fair.
- Discuss needs of the families on SCHS with community partners.
Education:
- Wizer Computer training.
- Newborn screening PKU training.
- Excel training from Rutgers.
- Newborn Infant screening training Galactolose
- Upcoming:
- Walkill Valley Coalition meeting.
- Meet and Greet with County Administration and Christopher Gaeta from Insite psychiatric.
- DSAC Meeting.
- Grant Meeting in office.
- Quarterly Case Manager Meeting with State.
- Unit Coordinator Meeting.
- Grant Writing Class from Rutgers.
Need Travel Vaccines? Plan Ahead.
International travel increases your chances of getting and spreading diseases that are rare or not found in the United States. You may need travel vaccines to help you stay healthy on your trip.
Before you travel abroad, it’s important to visit a healthcare professional or a travel health specialist at least one month before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Some vaccines require multiple doses, so it’s best to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Learn More Here
Traveler Genomic Surveillance Program Expansion
Travelers’ Health is excited to announce the expansion of the Traveler Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program to two additional international airports, Los Angeles and Seattle. This expansion is helping CDC continue to detect new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 among international air travelers. In total, the TGS program currently has sites in seven major U.S. international airports:
• Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City
• Los Angeles International Airport
• Newark Liberty International Airport
• San Francisco International Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
• Washington Dulles International Airport
The next time you travel through one of these airports, stop by the TGS booth, volunteer to participate, and receive a free COVID-19 at-home test kit for your time contributing to public health.